SPRINGFIELD -- As the demand for skilled laborers in manufacturing grows, so does the interest in college degrees that will meet the need.

Springfield Technical Community College and Northeastern University have partnered to offer students in Greater Springfield an opportunity to earn a bachelor's degrees in mechanical engineering technology and advanced manufacturing systems onsite at STCC starting in January.

"To be able to partner like this with a premier university is just tremendous," said John B. Cook, president of the community college. "There is an interest in this degree from our students and from employers."

On Wednesday, Cook was joined by Kemi Jona, founding director of the Lowell Institute School and associate dean for undergraduate programs at Northeastern University College of Professional Studies, to sign a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions.

"The advanced manufacturing sector is poised to add three and a half million jobs in the coming decade, but up to two million of those jobs are predicted to go unfilled because of the skills gap," Jona said. "We are two institutions that share a goal of enhancing the educational and workforce development opportunities here in Western Massachusetts."

Courses for the new degree will be taught by Northeastern University professors at STCC in the evening.

Adrienne Smith, dean of the School of Engineering Technologies and Mathematics at STCC, and Siu Ming Luie, senior adviser to the dean for academic and curricular planning at Northeastern, said faculty from both institutions worked together to create the degree curriculum.

"Students will be able to finish their two-year degree and then stay right here on a campus they are familiar with to get their bachelor's degree from such a prestigious institution here in the evening, which is a huge win for our students " Smith said.

Luie said faculty members at Northeastern are either working in the industry, scholar-practitioners or retired mentors. The school also partners with large manufacturers looking for educated workers. The degree was designed in collaboration with GE Aviation.

"We want to make sure that students coming out of the program will actually be marketable and will be able to get employment," Luie said. "Large manufacturers like GE and Smith & Wesson see the value in this degree. We know students want it and we know the industry wants it, so why not offer it."

An informational session for people interested in the degree will be held at STCC on Nov. 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Get more information and register here.